Roma vs AC Milan

AS Roma return home needing to continue to win if they are to keep pace with league leaders Inter Milan and retain at least a glimmer of hope of catching them in the table. AC Milan are coming off of a victory of their own and this contest has all the makings of an electric derby.

Roma scored a huge victory away from home in week 27 when they defeated Napoli by a score of 0-2 at the Stadio San Paolo. With the 3 points the side managed by Nedo Spaletti are now in 2^nd place with 58 points on the year. This leaves them 6 points back of 1^st place Inter Milan and 7 ahead of 3^rd place Juventus. The giallorossi have now extended their unbeaten run to 4 matches. During that stretch they have won 3 of the 4 with 1 draw with 8 goals scored and 1 conceded. This week Roma are expected to have everyone available with Totti, Mexes and Juan confirmed starters.

Much like Roma, AC Milan scored a huge win on the road as they defeated Empoli by a score of 1-3. Milan are in the running for a UEFA Champions League spot and now sit in 5^th place of the Serie A table with 46 points. They are 1 point back of 4^th place Fiorentina and 6 points ahead of 6^th place Udinese. Thanks to their strong victory, the side managed by Carlo Ancelotti have now extended their unbeaten run to 10 consecutive matches. This week the injured list consists of Dida, Ronaldo, Cafu, Serginho and Inzaghi. The good news is that Kaka’ is back in the starting eleven and will start alongside Seedorf just behind Pato.

With both sides coming into this contest playing so well it promises to be a tough match. It will be interesting to see how much turnover Spaletti decides to employ given that Roma are still in the Champions League and will be playing again in 4 days time as this is a double week in Serie A. AC Milan are also playing in 4 days time but don’t that the Champions League baggage that could play a factor in Roma’s fitness. Also, Milan have played better on the road than they have at home and that should make them good for at least a point against Roma.

Prediction: Draw (1-1)

Empoli vs AC Milan

Empoli are against the ropes this week as they play host to AC Milan at the Stadio Carlo Castellani in round 27 of Serie A. It will be their second match at home in 7 days and they cannot afford to lose again. Meanwhile, Milan are coming off of a disappointing draw at home and will be looking to recover those dropped points against Empoli.

Empoli come into this contest in 17^th place of the Serie A table with 25 points for the season. This leaves them just 1 point ahead of 18^th place Catania who currently occupy a slot in the relegation zone of the table. Empoli are just behind 16^th place Parma on goal difference. Last week the side managed by Malesani dropped a terrible match at home by a score of 0-2 to Siena, a direct rival in their battle to avoid relegation. It was their second straight loss following an encouraging 3 match win streak and what is most disconcerting is that Empoli have not been able to score a goal over those last two matches. This week Mchedlidze and Pozzi are out injured while Moro and Marzoratti will sit out suspended. The positive news is that Raggi returns to the back line while Saudati will be able to start upfront in Malesani’s 4-2-3-1.

AC Milan also suffered a frustrating result at home in week 26 when they were held to a 1-1 draw at home by SS Lazio at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza. The point at home gives them 43 for the year and leaves them in 5^th place, 4 points back of 4^th place Fiorentina and 4 ahead of 6^th place Udinese. The rossoneri have now drawn 2 matches in a row and 4 of their last 5 to go along with 1 win. This week the side managed by Carlo Ancelotti will once again be missing a number of players to injury including Dida, Ronaldo, Clarence Seedorf, Cafu, Serginho, Nesta and Jankulovski. In addition, Gennaro Gattuso will be sitting out due to suspension. These absences would be enough to cripple most sides but Milan do have a lot of depth and that will be on display in the form of Ambrosini, Gilardino, Pato and the returning Kaka’ who has been out as well due to injury.

This is a huge match for Empoli as every remaining home match is a must win. The smallest slip up could see them drop into the relegation zone and Malesani will have his side prepared for a final type atmosphere. However, AC Milan have actually played better away from home this season with 7 wins and 3 draws from 13 matches. They should be good enough to hold out for at least a point.

Prediction: Draw (1-1)

AC Milan vs Lazio

AC Milan host Lazio in their week 26 match at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza at San Siro. An injury plagued Milan were held to a frustrating draw on the road in their midweek match, while Lazio were able to pick up a big win that helps them move farther away from the relegation zone of Serie A.

The rossoneri were held to a 1-1 draw by Catania in their last match. Milan were missing important players such as Kaka’, Nesta, Ronaldo and Dida and were certainly not at their best. The result leaves Carlo Ancelotti’s club in 5^th place of the league table with 42 points. They now sit 2 points back of Fiorentina while holding a 6 point edge over 6^th place Udinese. With neither Kaka’ nor Pippo Inzaghi slated to start this week Milan look to go with a 4-3-1-2 featuring Seedorf playing just behind Pato and Gilardino. The injured list remains the same as it was for the last match with Favalli also missing out due to suspension. The Australian keeper Kalac will once again start for Dida while Bonera will cover in the back line for Nesta. AC Milan have posted 2 wins and 3 draws in their last 5 matches.

Lazio picked up victory from a match they absolutely had to win in week 25 when they defeated Reggina by a score of 1-0 at home. Reggina have been battling relegation all year long and Lazio were in no position to drop points at home to them. With the win the side managed by Delio Rossi are now in 12^th place of Serie A with 29 points for the season. They are 1 point behind 11^th place Napoli and 2 points up on 13^th place Torino. They have posted 3 wins at home and 2 losses on the road over their last 5 matches and will be looking to change that pattern this week away to Milan. There are 2 confirmed absences at this time and they involve Zauri and Mutarelli. Like Milan, Lazio will use a 4-3-1-2 with Mauri playing behind the big 2 of Rocchi and Goran Pandev.

The edge has to go to AC Milan this week. While it is true that they have not played consistently at home this season with just 4 wins from 12 matches, Lazio have won just 1 match on the road and their form as a whole drops immensely when they are away from the Stadio Olimpico. They will need to play a mistake free match at the back.

Prediction: AC Milan (1-0)

Catania vs AC Milan

Catania face off against the red hot AC Milan looking to recover from their loss away to Empoli over the week that sends them farther down the Serie A league table. The rossoneri come into this contest after having secured a dramatic last minute victory over Palermo that lands them in the top 4 of the league.

The home side were beaten on the road in week 24 when they fell by a score of 2-0 to Empoli at the Stadio Carlo Castellani. The result leaves Catania in 15^th place of the Serie A league table with 25 points. They are now 2 points back of 14^th place Empoli, but only 3 ahead of Parma and the side fighting to stay out of the relegation zone. They are losers of 4 of their last 4 games and have been able to produce just 2 goals scored over that 5 game stretch. They are easily going through their worst part of the season and now face a daunting task when they host AC Milan. Manager Baldini will need to make due without the services of both Tedesco and Morimoto this week.

The rossoneri are at the other end of the spectrum in terms of current form. Their latest victory at home over Palermo by a score of 2-1 at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza featured late game heroics from Pippo Inzaghi to secure the 3 points. With the victory Carlo Ancelotti’s club are now in 4^th place of the league table with 41 points, 6 back of Juventus and just ahead of 5^th place Fiorentina on goal difference. With this match coming just 3 days after the contest against Palermo it’s getting a bit difficult for Ancelotti to come up with a starting eleven as there are a number of injury concerns. In addition to Nesta, Dida, and Ronaldo who missed the contest against Palermo- it has now been confirmed that both Seedorf and Kaka’ are expected to sit this one out. Bonera, Gourcuff and Gilardino are among those expected to come into the starting eleven.

This will be a very tough contest for Catania. They just haven’t shown any life of late and they will be taking on an AC Milan outfit that have been absolutely superb of late. It is true that Milan have a number of injury concerns this week but the likes of Pato, Ambrosini and Gilardino should have enough to carry the day for the rossoneri.

Prediction: AC Milan (1-2)

AC Milan vs Palmero

AC Milan return home after an inspiring result in Europe on Wednesday to host Palermo at the Giuseppe Meazza. A victory and some help from other results will help lift the rossoneri into the top 4 of Serie A. Palermo are coming off of a big win in their last league match which saw them snap a dry spell.

The side managed by Carlo Ancelotti are currently in 5^th place of Serie A with 38 points for the season. This leaves them 3 points back of 4^th place Fiorentina and 2 ahead of 6^th place Udinese. This week has seen them play to two consecutive 0-0 draws. It started in domestic play away to Parma at the Ennio Tardini and continued against Arsenal at the Emirates in their midweek match. That draw against Arsenal extended their current streak to 3 straight draws. AC Milan have been playing superb defensive football of late having conceded just 1 goal over their last 6 matches between the domestic league and Europe. The good news this week is that Pato, who went down against Arsenal, is expected to be able to start. The injured list this week includes Dida, Nesta and Ronaldo so look for Kalac to sub in for Dida in goal and Jankulovski and Kaladzde to start on the left side of the back line.

Last week Palermo were able to hold off the challenge of last place Cagliari and secured a 2-1 win at home at the Stadio Renzo Barbera. The win helps snap a skid which had seen Palermo lose 3 of 4 matches. With the victory Francesco Guidolin’s club are now 8^th in the league table with 31 points and sit 3 back of 7^th place Sampdoria. They hold a slight 1 point edge over Atalanta. There are two confirmed absences for this match with Miccoli and Capuano having been ruled out. In the case of Capuano he will need to undergo surgery. Therefore, Uruguayan Edison Cavani will come into the attack and play alongside top scorer Amauri in a 3-5-2.

While AC Milan are at home and have been playing better there of late, Palermo have the advantage of not having played during the week and perhaps being a bit more refreshed. However, to have any chance they will need to hold Milan scoreless as they have shown they are very hard to break down. The problem is that only Cagliari have conceded more goals than Palermo’s 38 this season. Milan will find a way to win.

Prediction: AC Milan (1-0)

Parma vs AC Milan

Parma face a stern test at home in week 23 when they host AC Milan at the Stadio Ennio Tardini. Milan are coming off of a draw but are currently on a 6 match unbeaten run which stretches back to last year. Meanwhile AC Milan are in the middle of a 6 match unbeaten run and can move into the top 4 in the league table with a victory and some help from other results.

Parma were able to hold out for a draw in their last match away to last place Cagliari by a score of 1-1 at the Stadio Sant’Elia. The point gives the side managed by Di Carlo 20 points for the season from 22 matches and that is good enough for 17the place in the Serie A table. They are one point up on 18^th place Empoli and just behind 16^th place Siena. The club has hit some hard times over their last 5 matches as evidenced by their 2 draws and 3 losses which has seen them concede 9 goals. Parma will have some important absences this week as well. Coly and Lucarelli remain out due to injury while Bernardo Corradi and Parravicini are out suspended. Corradi is the clubs top scorer so look for Budan and Reginaldo to start in attack.

The Rossoneri played to a 1-1 draw in their last match at home to Livorno which was a midweek make up contest. It was a very costly match for Milan as not only did they drop two points at home but they also lost Brazilian striker Ronaldo for the rest of the season. He was injured only 3 minutes after having come on as a substitute. The result also saw Milan’s 4 match win streak draw to a close. Carlo Ancelotti’s squad are now in 5^th place of Serie A with 37 points and sit 1 point behind Fiorentina while maintaining a 4 point edge on 6^th place Udinese. In addition to Ronaldo being out both Alexandre Pato and Clarence Seedorf will miss out due to injury. On the bright side, Kaka’ and Alessandro Nesta will both return to the starting eleven.

The loss of Ronaldo was a huge blow to Milan, not only because of the caliber of player that he is, but because of how popular he is among his mates. It will be interesting to see how they fare in this first match without him. Parma have not exactly been world beaters at home this year with just 4 wins, 4 draws and 3 losses from 11 matches. AC Milan should have enough in the tank to secure a draw despite having had less rest this week.

Prediction: Draw (1-1)

AC Milan vs Siena

AC Milan are playing their best football of the season as they prepare to host Siena in their week 22 match at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza at San Siro. Siena have been not been too shabby either as they pulled off the surprise result of the round when they beat AS Roma at home last week.

The side managed by Carlo Ancelotti have been on fire of late. They scored a 0-1 win away to Fiorentina last week at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. Fiorentina had gone into the match having won their last 4 straight and were in the middle of a very impressive run. That was until the rossoneri pulled off another important win thanks to a goal by new signing Alexandre Pato. With the 3 points Milan are now 5^th in Serie A with 33 points. They have won their last 3 matches without conceding a goal. There will be important absences this week as the aforementioned Pato is out injured as are Gennaro Gattuso and world footballer of the year, Kaka’. In addition, striker Gilardino is out suspended. Ancelotti is expected to have Seedorf back this week along with Ronaldo. Look for Milan to go with a 4-3-1-2 featuring Seedorf playing behind Ronaldo and Pippo Inzaghi.

Siena gave Inter Milan a huge boost in their quest for a 3^rd straight Serie A title when they defeated second place AS Roma by a score of 3-0 at the Oreste Granillo. The victory helps the side managed by Beretta climb to 16^th place in Serie A with 20 points on the year. They are 1 point ahead of Parma and 1 point back of 15^th place Livorno. Without question the 3-0 win over Roma will give them a much needed boost of morale. Only one player has been ruled out for this week’s match at that is Galloppa. Siena will maintain a 4-4-2 with Frick playing alongside Maccarone upfront.

While Siena were able to pull of the surprise last week, AC Milan will be ready at home. Milan have not exactly played like world beaters this season at home, and they will be missing Kaka’ of all people. However, in Ronaldo and Inzaghi they maintain a pair of strikers that can instill fear in the best of clubs. Look for Milan to hold serve at home.

Predication: Milan (1-0)

Fiorentina vs AC Milan

Fiorentina will host AC Milan in week 21 in a contest that features two clubs that are in impressive form of late. After some recent struggles the viola are finding their top form, while Milan have climbed from 12^th place to 6^th place in the span of 3 weeks.

The side managed by Cesare Prandelli are coming off of a 0-2 victory away to the struggling Empoli in their week 20 match at the Carlo Castellani. It was their 4^th consecutive victory. That 4 match win streak has seen them outscore the opposition by 11 goals to 3 and every facet of the club is running on all cylinders at this time. Those 3 points against Empoli give the side from the Artemio Franchi 37 points on the present campaign. Those 37 points have them in 4^th place of the Serie A table where they sit just 3 points back of the mighty Juventus and 4 points on top of Udinese. They will be missing Liverani to injury this week while Donadei will be serving a one match suspension. Liverani’s spot as play maker will go to Jorgensen in Prandelli’s 4-3-3 with Adrian Mutu, Pazzini and Santana in attack.

AC Milan were able to keep the points at home in round 20 with a solid 2-0 victory over Genoa at San Siro. The victory helps the rossoneri reach 6^th place in the Serie A with 30 points on the year. Carlo Ancelotti’s club are 3 points back of 5^th place Udinese and 2 points ahead of Sampdoria who sit in 7^th place. A victory over 4^th place Fiorentina in this contest would see AC Milan get within 4 points of the 4^th spot. On the injury front Dida is back at full training but Kalac is expected to get at least one more start in goal. Pippo Inzaghi, Ronaldo, and Gennaro Gattuso remain out. There exists the possibility that Ancelotti will go with just Gilardino as the lone striker in a 4-3-2-1 to help reinforce the midfield. That would leave the impressive Pato on the bench.

Expect this one to be very close. The fact that Ancelotti is toying with the idea of leaving Pato on the bench underscores the respect AC Milan have for Fiorentina. The loss of Gattuso in midfield is huge for the AC Milan defense and Emerson could be exposed by Fiorentina. The home side could squeak out the win.

Prediction: Fiorentina (1-0)

AC Milan vs Genoa

AC Milan are back at the San Siro in round 20 of Serie A to host Genoa. The reigning world club champions are coming off of back to back league wins as they look to climb back into the European qualifying spots of the league table. The visiting Genoa are winners of 3 straight matches and are looking to climb up the table in their own right.

The rossoneri have actually already played two matches this week. They were winners on the road to Udinese last week by a score of 0-1 at the Stadio Friuli to start things off. Then they lost a Coppa Italia match away to Atalanta by a score of 2-1. It was only the first leg so they still have a chance of advancing. Carlo Ancelotti’s club have been very inconsistent this season. They seem to be one club in Europe and a much more vulnerable side in the domestic tournament. They currently sit in 10^th place of the league table with 24 points on the year and sit just 1 point back of 9^th place Palermo. There continue to be a number of injury concerns this week with Pippo Inzaghi, Jankulovski, and the Brazilians Serginho, Dida, and Ronaldo all having been ruled out. AC Milan look set to go with a 4-3-2-1 featuring new signing Alexandre Pato as the lone striker with Seedorf and Kaka just behind him.

Il Grifone come into this contest have strung together 3 straight victories over Parma at home, Lazio on the road and then at home to Atalanta Bergamo in week 19.Their unbeaten run now stands at 4 matches. At this time the side managed by Gasperini are in 8^th place of Serie A with 25 points for the campaign. This has them just behind 7^th place Sampdoria on goal difference, while also just ahead of 9^th place Palermo on goal difference. Out injured this week are Leon of Honduras and Gaetano De Rosa, while Criscito will sit this one out due to suspension. The absence of De Rosa will cause manager Gasperini to alter the 3 man back line with Lucarelli come in at the left side with Bovo moving to the center. The formation with remain a 3-4-3.

While Milan are certainly the superior side on paper this could potentially be tough match for inter given that Genoa play with 3 strikers. However, Pato will be going against a side that features a 3 man back line and that could play a big factor as well. Milan’s inability to win consistently at home, just 1 win in 8 matches, doesn’t inspire much confidence.

Prediction: Draw (1-1)

AC Milan vs Napoli

The Alexandre Pato era begins at the Giuseppe Meazza as AC Milan are home to Napoli still in search of their first home victory of the season in Serie A. The turn of the calendar from 2007 to 2008 has been reason for much optimism this week for the rossoneri. The visiting Napoli have been held to draws in their last 2 matches and will be looking to escape with another one from the San Siro this week

The side managed by Carlo Ancelotti are currently in 12^th place of the league table with 18 points on the year. This leaves them 1 point back of 11^th place Genoa and just ahead of Parma on goal difference. Their form at home this season has been awful with just 5 draws and 2 losses to show from 7 matches. They are coming off of a tough loss away to their hated rivals of Inter Milan in the derby by a score of 2-1. There is however, hope and much excitement this week for the Milan supporters as new Brazilian signing Alexandre Pato is set to make his debut. Meanwhile Ambrosini will come on for the suspended Gennaro Gattuso.

As for Napoli, they are in a respectable 7^th position of the league table with 23 points. They are 2 points back of Palermo and 1 ahead of 8^th place Atalanta. They are coming off of a 1-1 draw at home to Torino at the Stadio San Paolo. The club has not been too successful away from home this year with just 1 win and 3 draws from 8 matches. Manager Reja will be missing his leading scorer this week in Marcelo Zalayeta who is out suspended for 2 matches. Still, Roberto Sosa provides more than adequate cover to go along with fellow Argentine superstar striker Ezequiel Lavezzi in attack.

The biggest question mark coming into this match is how much of an impact Pato can have on his debut for Milan. Milan not having won a match at home all season long is a major cross for the club to bear. Look for Milan to finally break through and defeat Napoli this week.

Prediction: Milan (1-0)

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